Small Business Blog

Want to make more sales and grow your boutique in 2026? Retailers everywhere are pouring money into ads, creating endless content, and still wondering why conversions aren’t happening. The truth? The game has changed—and most boutique owners are playing by outdated rules. Ashley sits down with Jeff Fenn — the marketing director and lead coach of Boutique Hub Black —to break down exactly what’s working RIGHT NOW in Facebook ads,

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, struggled to stay focused, or wondered why your business isn’t growing as fast as it should… this conversation is for you. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks dive into the reality of being a visionary entrepreneur, why not every idea is meant for right now, and how understanding your role (and building the right support around you) can completely change your business.

What does it actually look like to grow a boutique from nothing… into multiple thriving businesses?

Ashley sits down with Alyssa Wagler, owner of Top Notch Boutique, who built her business from the ground up—beginning in a mini barn and growing into storefronts, wholesale, and custom manufacturing.

But growth didn’t come with a clear plan… and it definitely didn’t come easy. This is the real, unfiltered conversation about what happens when your business starts working—and you’re forced to figure out how to scale it in real time.

Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks are back for another Couch Conversation to unpack the real, unfiltered truth about building a business while raising a family. From playing small out of fear to the resentment that can build when expectations aren’t clearly communicated, this conversation hits the tension most boutique owners quietly carry.

In this episode, Ashley sits down with April Burks, owner of Love Ivy Boutique to unpack the real story behind longevity in retail. From starting at 24 years old with no roadmap to building a thriving store rooted in community, confidence, and customer relationships.

What if you could sit down on the couch with other boutique owners and just talk about what’s really working right now? Welcome to a brand new Five Minute Friday series —Couch Conversations! In this first episode, Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks break down the IN vs OUT shifts for 2026, from content creation to customer experience to how you’re running your day-to-day business. If you’re still doing everything manually,

What if the biggest inventory mistakes in your business are happening before the product ever arrives? Ashley Alderson is joined by Ulla Hald, founder of FAVES, to talk about how boutique retailers can buy smarter by planning ahead, tracking purchases in real time, and staying on top of what’s ordered, what’s arriving, and what still needs attention. They unpack why buying without a system leads to confusion, overbuying, missed categories,

Sales are down… so what should you actually do next? If you’ve ever had a slow day (or week) where your stomach drops, your heart starts racing, and you’re refreshing Shopify every 10 seconds… this episode is for you. Ashley breaks down exactly how to respond when sales dip — and why panic is the fastest way to hurt your business long-term. Retail is cyclical. The difference between struggling boutiques

Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/ _____________________ What do you do when your boutique hits one hard month… and then another… and another? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Jessica Brown of Pink on Pickens Boutique in Abbeville, South Carolina, for a real and honest conversation about rebranding,

How do you build a business while raising a family without feeling like you’re failing at one or the other? For many working moms and boutique owners, the pressure to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming. The truth is, the idea of perfect “balance” doesn’t really exist. Instead, it’s about understanding the season you’re in and making intentional choices about where your energy goes. In this Five Minute Friday